HardSharting TOP 5 METAL 2025 + HONORABLE MENTIONS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgM1pc9x8Lw |
| 1 |  | Paradise Lost
Ascension
#5 - one of the best sounding and produced metal albums of the year. plays to their strengths and sounds massive. their best of their late career stage with some of their best tracks in decade plus. my fav doom-isg album in an era when doom is eating good |
| 2 |  | Deftones
private music
#4 - was at risk of overhype but delivered. their tightest and most focused since KNY. chino sounds reinvorgated and the music rules too |
| 3 |  | Agriculture
The Spiritual Sound
#3 - 'ecstatic black metal' could have been pretentious wank, but instead delivered an explosive, heavy, crushing, innovate bm album that was really exciting. from the dizzying opener to the wild solos unlike any other to the quiet intimate moments, i loved this |
| 4 |  | Blackbraid
Blackbraid III
#2 - takes the most badass black metal of yore and swaps the scandi/nordic traditions for native america/first nations lore and mythology, and it rules. some of the most badass, face melting riffs and throat shredding vox all year |
| 5 |  | Deafheaven
Lonely People With Power
#1 - not sure i have much to add to this that hasnt been said. 'we are back' is an understatement. music to make you feel glad to be alive |
| 6 |  | Blut Aus Nord
Ethereal Horizons
HONORABLE MENTION - gorgeous / terrifying vibes galore |
| 7 |  | The Callous Daoboys
I Don't Want to See You in Heaven
HONORABLE MENTION - didnt rate it as high as others but def the bands best to date |
| 8 |  | Coroner
Dissonance Theory
HONORABLE MENTION - cool return from maybe the best ever prog tech thrash band. sounds badass |
| 9 |  | Havukruunu
Tavastland
HONORABLE MENTION - more great battle metal. riff city |
| 10 |  | Messa
The Spin
HONORABLE MENTION - arguably breakout of the year. cooly bluesy doomy vibes with phat stanky guitars |
| 11 |  | Abigail Williams
A Void Within Existence
HONORABLE MENTION - not as good as their last but still dec |
| 12 |  | Testament
Para Bellum
HONORABLE MENTION- another vet thrash band still going strong |
| 13 |  | Saor
Amidst the Ruins
HONORABLE MENTION - probs the projects weakest but still dec from scotlands panopticon |
| 14 |  | Deadguy
Near-Death Travel Services
HONORABLE MENTION - another cool surprse return. still sound as angry as their debut |
| 15 |  | Allegaeon
The Ossuary Lens
HONORABLE MENTION - its dec |
| 16 |  | Drudkh
Shadow Play
HONORABLE MENTION - more melancholic/sombre than their usual. very dreary rainy vibes |
| 17 |  | Faetooth
Labyrinthine
HONORABLE MENTION - another breakout contender. im here for a fairy doom metal girl trio |
| 18 |  | Caustic Wound
Grinding Mechanism of Torment
HONORABLE MENTION - grind of the year |
| 19 |  | Whitechapel
Hymns in Dissonance
HONORABLE MENTION - probs deathcore of the year, though its not really my style so others may differ. took their improvements from their last few albums to elevate their unga bunga style above just brutality |
| 20 |  | Sumac and Moor Mother
The Film
HONORABLE MENTION - massive riffs, fiery verses from moor mother. another dec addition to the sumac canon |
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